Intern - Protection

Introduction

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations and the leading UN agency in the field of migration. Working closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners, IOM promotes humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It saves lives and protects people on the move, drives solutions to displacement, and facilitates pathways for regular migration, while providing services and advice to governments and migrants. 

IOM is committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive and supportive workplace where all employees can thrive professionally and feel valued. By creating such an environment, IOM aims to better harness the full potential of migration and strengthen its support to people on the move.

IOM invites candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply and provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process when required. Learn more about IOM’s workplace culture at IOM workplace culture | International Organization for Migration

The Internship Programme

The Internship Programme aims at attracting talented students and graduates who have a specific interest in, or whose studies have covered, areas relevant to IOM programmes and activities. Interns must be between 20 and 36 years old and should have less than two years of relevant working experience. 

In general, the Internship Programme aims at attracting talented students and graduates who:

• have a specific interest in, or whose studies have covered, areas relevant to IOM programmes and activities;
• are holding a scholarship for internship placements in international organizations and/or for whom internship is required to complete their studies; or
• are sponsored by governmental/non governmental institutions and/or academia to work in specific areas relevant to both IOM and the sponsor.
• are either enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum Bachelor’s level or equivalent) or have graduated in the last 12 months.
• are between 20 and 36 years of age.

Background Information

The Protection Regional Thematic Unit (PXD RTU) operates under the Deputy Regional Director (DRD) for Operations to provide thematic expertise and guidance on the implementation of the IOM Strategic Plan. The PXD RTU acts as an extension of the Protection Division in IOM Headquarters (HQ) in the Regional Office (RO), supporting Country Office (CO) operations, programmes, and initiatives, as well as advocating IOM’s strategic position on Protection. This support includes oversight, quality assurance, and technical backstopping, as needed. Furthermore, the PXD and other RTUs collaborate to provide evidence-based thought leadership to both internal and external stakeholders as part of regional and national efforts to save lives and protect people on the move, drive solutions to displacement, and facilitate regular pathways for migration. This includes representing IOM’s PXD priorities in regional UN Networks on Migration and related GCM capacity building and review processes. Broadly, the PXD RTU works to identify opportunities and risks at the regional and national level, in collaboration with IOM HQ and COs. 

The PXD RTU also acts as a hub for knowledge and innovation, and promote policy, data, and research to further IOM’s strategic plan. Internally, this includes promoting cross-thematic collaboration for a more comprehensive and holistic response to migration opportunities and challenges, and shared accountability for consistent, cohesive, and quality evidence-based programming in Sub-Regional Office and COs. Externally, this includes advocacy and technical inputs on policies and programmes for regional bodies, Member States, the UN Network on Migration, and platforms under the leadership of the Regional Director (RD), the DRD for Operations, Chiefs of Mission (COM), and Heads of Office (HoO) as applicable. The PXD RTU are the first port of call for IOM COs on thematic expertise and institutional guidance for protection. They are also a key resource for external stakeholders on evidence-based protection, migration management, resilience, and governance, as well as opportunities and challenges posed by migration trends and dynamics in the region

SUPERVISION

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Thematic Specialist – Protection (PXD RTS), and overall supervision of the Chief of Mission for South Africa and Sub-Regional Director for Southern Africa and in collaboration with relevant units in the Sub-Regional Office and Regional Office the Under the direct supervision of the Regional Thematic Specialist – Protection (PXD RTS), the Intern - Protection will support the Regional Thematic Unit for Protection (PXD RTU), which operates with thematic guidance from the Protection Division in IOM Headquarters (HQ), to provide thematic expertise and resource mobilization support to Country Offices (COs); including: monitor and analyse regional thematic trends; support regional thematic project development; support thematic capacity development; and review and support project proposal endorsement processes related to PXD in the Region. 

Education

• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent), or in a Master's degree or higher in Political or Social Sciences, Business Administration, Migration Studies, International Relations, Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution; or
• Have graduated with a university degree in Political or Social Sciences, Business Administration, Migration Studies, International Relations, Law or a related field, and if selected, must commence the internship within one year of graduation.

Experience

• Demonstrated interest in protection;
• Has an experience in working with governmental authorities, other national/international institutions, private sector and NGOs; is an advantage.

Skills

• Demonstrated writing and analytical skills;
• Takes responsibility for action and manages constructive criticisms;
• Promotes continuous learning for self and others;
• Listens and communicates clearly, adapting delivery to the audience;
• Plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility;
• Knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, learning, project development and reporting;
• Contributes to a collegial team environment; incorporates gender related needs, perspectives, concerns and promotes equal gender participation;
• Displays awareness of relevant technological solutions.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. All staff members are required to be fluent in one of the three languages.

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French, or Portuguese is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments. 

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

Values

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

Core Competencies

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Eligibility and Selection

This internship opportunity is part of IOM’s 2026 Global Access Internship Programme, which is a sub-set of IOM’s regular internship programme. The main condition to be eligible for this opportunity is that applicants be citizens of Member States not represented or with lower representation in IOM, as of June 2026. Additionally, IOM strongly encourages applications from persons with disabilities from those nationalities as well as other minorities. If you would like to explore all vacancies that are part of the programme and more details, please go to: Internship programme | International Organization for Migration

Notes

Depending on experience and location, interns are granted a small monthly stipend to help offset costs. Interns benefiting from an internship allowance or scholarship granted by their university or other sponsoring body that includes financial remuneration or credits for coursework will not be eligible for the stipend.

IOM covers Interns against occupational accidents and illnesses under the Compensation Plan (CP), free of charge, for the duration of the internship. IOM does not provide evacuation or medical insurance for reasons related to non-occupational accidents and illnesses. Interns are responsible for their own medical insurance for non-occupational accident or illness and will be required to provide written proof of such coverage before commencing work. 

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, security clearances.

IOM has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and IOM, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities.